MUT says educator assaulted by student in Gozo school

The Malta Union of Teachers said on Wednesday that an educator was assaulted in a school in Gozo on Tuesday.

In a statement, the MUT said that the educator was attacked by a student and ended up with a broken arm that could lead to a permanent disability.

The MUT said that it is in contact with the educator and the school, and has called for an urgent meeting with the Education Ministry.

A report has furthermore been filed with the police.

No details were given by the union on the age of the student and the school where it happened, although reports said that the incident had occurred at an educational facility in Sannat Gozo, and that the student in question is a special needs student.

Reports said that the educator had suffered a broken arm as a result of the incident.

The union condemned the incident.

It added that it will continue to report and follow such incidents, and give support to the educators involved.

It urged for a better support structure in schools to avoid a repetition.

In a second statement, the MUT said that it had held a meeting with Education Minister, Clifton Grima, to discuss the incident.

The ministry informed the MUT that a committee is to be established to find out how the incident evolved, with the union insisting that the educator who was assaulted is to be given all the support needed.

The MUT proposed the setting up of a review board to analyse the "difficult situations" that educators have to face. This board should then draw up a report with recommendations on how to improve safety in schools, a proposal that was accepted by the ministry.

The MUT said that it will have its own representative on this board.